Digital Commons Network^™

Ngo Decision-Making During Typhoon Disaster Response: Towards A Relational Approach, Pamela Gloria Cajilig, Mona Nasser

Peninsula Dental School

This paper examines the decision-making processes of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) during Typhoon Odette (Rai) in Palawan, Philippines. The typhoon, which struck during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, exacerbated vulnerabilities in the province, leading to the destruction of homes and livelihoods, disruptions in education, fatalities and damage to critical infrastructure. Focusing on a health- and development-centred NGO, the qualitative case study draws from phenomenological approaches to decision-making and studies that emphasise relational ontologies. The discussion employs a framework that categorises decision-making into three types of processes that underscore the latter's entangled nature: ‘knot’ represents situations of confusion and desperation and where …

Negotiating Musical Practices In Chilean Prisons During Pinochet’S Dictatorship (1973-1990), Nuria Bonet

School of Art, Design and Architecture

Music played many roles in detention centres during Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship in Chile (1973-1990), as political prisoners played, listened to, wrote, and taught music. Testimonies of survivors describe a variety of musical practices which reflect the political and social realities of their incarceration. While authorities used music to torture and degrade political prisoners, music was also a tool for communication, community-building, catharsis, and entertainment. Who was allowed to play, hear, and choose music in these spaces – and why - is a complex question which reveals narratives of resistance and oppression, while questioning ideas of musical taste in relation to …

Kidfluencers, Public Relations And Human Rights: An Exploration Of The Impact On The Human Rights Of Children As Social Media Influencers Within Public Relations And Promotional Practice, Catherine Archer, Kate Mirandilla Delmo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In this article we explore the human rights of children as important stakeholders in public relations (PR) practice by examining the phenomenon of social media influencer children, commonly termed kidfluencers. Children’s human rights in the digital realm have been a focus for the United Nations and those researching from media, communications and law disciplines, but have largely been ignored by PR scholarship. Given social media influencer relations is now an important part of PR practice, and a multibillion-dollar global industry, the need for more research on the genre from a PR perspective is apparent. Our research, using the UN (Human) …

Psychopathy, Emotion, And Mock Juror Decision-Making, Bailey A. Hall

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Research suggests that mock jurors impose harsher sentencing (including death sentencing) when defendants are described as psychopathic, but reasons for this are unclear. This preregistered study investigated the role of juror anger and cognitive biases (predecisional distortion [PDD]) in the relationship between defendant psychopathy descriptions and mock juror decision-making. In an online experiment, participants (undergraduates in a large Southeastern university [n=410] and a US Census-representative online sample [n=384]) reviewed case facts of a murder, were randomized to expert witness testimony of defendant psychopathy or control conditions and read the prosecution and defense arguments before sentencing the defendant to death or …

Power And Praise: The Case Of The Late Brezhnev Era, Andrew Buck, Jeffrey Hass

Sociology and Anthropology Faculty Publications

The culture of praise in the late Brezhnev era was highly developed and ritualistic. This research explores the purpose of praise in Soviet society and maps out its different faces through a structural analysis of letters to the editor. We conceptualize praise as a kind of symbolic capital that Soviet citizens use to signal their loyalty to one another. Soviet citizens expressed agreement through public praise of others published on the pages of widely-circulated newspapers. The analysis demonstrates variation in the structure of praise that depends on its direction, location, topics and the identities of givers and receivers. We identify …

Levothyroxine Requirement In A Patient With Lrba Deficiency And Gvhd Induced Cholestasis, Yusriya Al Rawahi, Hussain Alsaffar, Amr Abdalla, Azza Nasser Al Shidhani

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Levothyroxine is a lipophilic hormone that is absorbed in the small intestine, mainly in the jejunum and ileum. The absorption of levothyroxine after oral administration averages 60–80%. We report a 7-year-old male patient who presented to a tertiary care hospital in Muscat, Oman, in 2020 at the age of three years with an early diagnosis of lipopolysaccharide beige-like anchor protein (LRBA) deficiency. LRBA deficiency is characterised by recurrent infections, autoimmune thyroid disease and autoimmune cytopenia. The patient was prescribed levothyroxine treatment (112.5 mcg daily) and underwent haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in March 2023; four months post-HSCT, he developed appendicitis …

Branding In The Spotlight: The Impact Of Name, Image, And Likeness (Nil) On Athlete Brand Image In College Athletics, Timothy Jeremiah Ervin Ii

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative thesis explores the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) on athlete brand image within college athletics, with a focus on the lived experiences of men and women college basketball players. Through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with eight Division I athletes, the study examines how NIL has influenced personal branding, identity construction, and public visibility. Guided by brand identity theory and athlete brand image, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis, four central themes emerged: athlete (brand) empowerment, legacy through authenticity, navigating influence, image, and objectification, and economic viability and opportunity. Additionally, the concept of self-presentation emerged as …

From The Amazon To The Andes: Paleoclimatic And Paleoenvironmental Changes Recorded By Sedimentary Biomarkers Since The Late Pleistocene, Alessandro Antúnez De Mayolo Mauceri

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

The South American tropics encompass some of Earth's most diverse and dynamic landscapes, from tropical glaciers and arid deserts to savannahs, shrublands, and the planet’s largest and most biodiverse rainforest—spread across a vast climatic and topographic gradient. These biomes provide vital natural resources that sustain communities, bolster economies, and serve as key components of the global hydrologic and carbon cycles. Despite their environmental and socioeconomic importance, these tropical systems are highly vulnerable to contemporary and future climate change and its cascading impacts. Adding to this challenge, the scarcity and short duration of instrumental climate records from this region pose major …

Umn Morris Adds $165.3 Million To Minnesota's Economy Each Year, Communications And Marketing

Campus News Archive

No abstract provided.

Educating Staff On Using Medication-Assisted Treatment (Mat) In Opioid Use Disorder (Oud), Demie Alaekwe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, especially those led by providers, can expand access to care for persons with opioid use disorder (OUD). The gap in practice at the site was the insufficient knowledge among nurses on how to effectively use MAT in treating OUD. The purpose of this staff educational project was to design and implement a training module to educate mental health providers on the principles and interventions of MAT. The practice-focused question was: Does educating nurses on MAT principles while incorporating evidence from the literature improve their knowledge as measured by pre- and post-test? The ADDIE pedagogy model was …

Portrayals Of Disabilities In Picturebooks With The Schneider Family Award, Sohyun Meacham

Faculty Publications

This study analyzed the portrayal of disabilities in picturebooks that have received the Schneider Family Award, a well-known children’s literature award in the United States focused on disability representation. The purpose of the study was to conduct an intersectional analysis of these picturebooks to explore how characters are positioned across multiple categories such as disability, race/ethnicity, gender, class, age, and language. Using the Rating Scale for Quality Characterizations of Individuals with Disabilities in Children’s Literature, the study analyzed all 17 picturebooks appropriate for early childhood that received the Schneider Family Award from 2004 to 2020. The analysis found that these …

Implementation And Effectiveness Of A Nurse-Enabled, Shared-Care Follow-Up Model For Early Breast Cancer Survivors (The Ibis-Survivorship Study): Protocol For A Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomised Trial, Raymond J. Chan, Fiona Crawford-Williams, Bogda Koczwara, G. Bruce Mann, Elizabeth Eakin, Jane Turner, Meinir Krishnasamy, Louisa G. Collins, Helen Skerman, Karla Hemming, Nicolas H. Hart, Jon Emery, Bethany Crowe, Kerry Patford, Jane Mahony, Caroline Kristunas, Gillian Blanchard, Laura Healey, Jasotha Sanmugarajah, Rhea Liang, Paul Craft, Amy Shorthouse, Ruth Mccaffery, Mary Azer, Patsy Yates

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. Survivors often experience physical and psychological effects arising from breast cancer and its treatment, which can last months and years, adversely impacting quality of life. As the number of early breast cancer survivors increases, models of specialist-led follow-up care in hospital settings are not sustainable and evidence suggests that they may not meet survivors’ needs. Nurse-enabled, shared-care, follow-up models between cancer specialist and primary care teams have potential to address this need. Methods and analysis The proposed research is a multicentre, prospective, pragmatic, stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial designed to …

Community Engagement In Digital Banking: Insights From Jakarta And Perth, Safaruddin Husada, Ulani Yunus, Latifa Ramonita, Mark Mcmahon

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: In the digital era, community engagement plays a pivotal role in driving market share expansion in the banking sector, yet the impact of such initiatives across diverse regulatory and cultural contexts remains underexplored. Purpose: This study examines the influence of community engagement on the digital bank market share in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Perth, Australia, while addressing disparities in digital access and customer experience. Methods: Employing a quantitative methodology, the study analyzed structured surveys from 300 respondents (150 each from Jakarta and Perth) to uncover relationships between community engagement and market expansion. Results: Findings reveal that robust community engagement significantly …

Enhancing Physical Activity And Equity Through Commensurate Accessibility Information, Kati Karinharju, Reetta-Kaisa Kuusiluoma, Henna Niemi, Kati Seppala

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

Accessible sport facilities are a prerequisite for equal engagement and participation in physical activity. Reliable and up-to-date accessibility information is required to 1) ensure the equal participation of different users; 2) assess and describe the level of accessibility; and 3) to demonstrate the effectiveness of the actions targeted on accessibility in sport facilities. The Ministry of Education and Culture in Finland has launched a long-term nationwide work to improve the accessibility and public information related to accessibility in sport facilities. Together with City of Helsinki, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences and Regional State Administrative Agency, an accessibility application was developed …

Exploring The Interplay Between Diet, Obesity, Mental Health, And The Gut Microbiome. The Mind-Gut Pilot Intervention Study, Deborah Gustafson Dg, Elisabet Rothenberg Er, Fabrizio Belloni Fb, Nagalakshmi Eruvuri Ne, Steinn Steinngrimsson Ss, Hanne Carlssen Hc, Rajna Knez Rk, Erika Olsson Eo, Robert D. Burk Rdb, Hellas Cena Hc, Rachele De Giuseppe Rdg, Gianluca Tognon

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

Introduction: Obesity and mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, are significant global health concerns (1). Dietary interventions may improve physical and mental health, likely via gut microbiome changes. This study assesses the feasibility of the MIND diet and its effects on weight loss, mental well-being, and gut microbiome composition in adults with obesity.

Method: This 12-week pilot randomized controlled trial includes two arms: an intervention group following the MIND diet and a control group assigned recommendations for a balanced diet. The study will recruit 126 adults with obesity in Sweden. Data collection includes body measurements, mental health questionnaires, …

Exploring Dynamic Human Mobility Of Diverse Social Groups Under Heat Conditions: A Simulation-Based Approach, Xin Gu, Su Yeon Han, Soe Win Myint, Eunsang Cho, Yuanhui Zhu, Joonseok Kim

I-GUIDE Forum

Extreme heat events, exacerbated by climate change, present significant risks to human health and disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Traditional assessments of heat exposure often rely on static residential data, which fails to account for the dynamic human mobility pattern of the population in space and time. Recent work utilizes mobility data to explore exposure dynamics in heat-related studies. However, these studies are primarily focused on the general population or the differences in human mobility across varying income levels in response to heat exposure. Unlike previous studies, this research employs a Monte Carlo simulation that integrates mobility data with American Community …

Unmasking The Dvt Mimic: A Rare Case Of Diabetic Myonecrosis In A Young Patient, Avish Patel, Md, Paul Endres, Md, Alexander Marchese, Md, Dianna Cheney-Peters, Md

The Medicine Forum

Diabetic myonecrosis is an uncommon complication of diabetes mellitus, often falsely believed to be a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Patients present with similar presentations of edema and focal tenderness that are most often unilateral in a proximal lower extremity.¹ When venous ultrasound is negative, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred diagnostic modality over muscle biopsy, given the potential complications.^2,3 Treatment includes rest, analgesia, and improved glycemic control.⁴ Given the rise of metabolic disorders and insulin resistance, it is important to be aware of this diagnosis to prevent overutilization of healthcare resources.⁵

String Theory - A Case Of Hypermucoviscous Klebsiella Pneumoniae Causing Distant Necrotizing Infections, Natasa Kostic, Md, Marina Gonzalez, Md

The Medicine Forum

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative, encapsulated bacterium belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family. It is more frequently associated with nosocomial infections and is one of several bacteria developing high rates of antibiotic resistance.¹ Since the mid-1980s, there have been reported cases of Klebsiella pneumoniae causing life-threatening, invasive infections acquired in the community by otherwise healthy individuals. The propensity to form metastatic foci of infection in immunocompetent hosts is unusual for an enteric, Gram-negative pathogen.² This hypervirulent variant of K. pneumoniae was originally noted only in Asian-Pacific countries but is now being identified globally.³ The variant has unique mucoid …

A Patient With Recently Diagnosed Hiv Found To Have Cryptococcus Meningitis With Course Complicated By Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia, Cmv Colitis, And Kaposi Sarcoma, Benjamin Richter, Md

The Medicine Forum

Opportunistic infections (OIs) remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in individuals with advanced human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), particularly in those with severe immunosuppression. Among the most life-threatening OIs are cryptococcal meningitis, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP), cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis, and Kaposi sarcoma (KS), each of which poses significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Here is a case of a man with recently diagnosed HIV who was admitted to the hospital with a chief complaint of headache and was found to have cryptococcal meningitis with a hospital course complicated by Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP), CMV colitis, and Kaposi sarcoma. …

Be Afraid Of Severe Pulmonary Hypertension And Right Ventricular Failure In The Peri-Op Patient, Avish Patel, Md, Lily Ackermann, Md

The Medicine Forum

Heart failure (HF), particularly right ventricular (RV) failure, and pulmonary hypertension (PH) present significant risks during the perioperative period. Despite the fact that these comorbidities are not always considered in preoperative risk evaluation, they are very important when considering perioperative risk. Current risk assessment tools mainly include the Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI); however, it does not effectively assess severity of HF or PH. This review aims to highlight the major points on peri-operative management in non-cardiac surgeries using a case of a patient with severe PH who experienced unexpected mortality from acute RV failure post-operatively.

Foreword From Faculty Advisor, Dagan Coppock, Md, Msce

The Medicine Forum

We are honored to present this latest edition of The Medicine Forum. This platform is in its twenty-sixth year serving as an outlet for our medical community’s scholarly and creative efforts. This year, it has been my pleasure to work with Marc, Marina, Virginia, and Devin on this project. I have not only worked with them on the Forum, but also on the wards. It is impressive to see the same excellence they bring to patient care applied to this academic publication.

This journal serves as a showcase for the efforts of our Department. It is always exciting …

From The Chief Residents, Akash Patel, Do, Ashley Traczuk, Md, Mark Liotta, Md, Claire Zurlo, Md

The Medicine Forum

It is with great pride that we present this year’s edition of The Medicine Forum, a reflection of the passion, intellectual curiosity, and multidimensional talents that define our Internal Medicine residency program.

This journal continues to be more than a collection of case reports and research findings — it is a celebration of who we are as a community. It reflects our shared commitment to inquiry, creativity, and the art of medicine. From the rigor of original research to the introspection of narrative writing and the vibrancy of visual art, this edition captures the full spectrum of our residents’ …

From The Desk Of The Residency Program Director, Christopher Henry, Md. Facp

The Medicine Forum

The Jefferson Forum is a reflection of our residents' dedication to patient care, education, resilience, and research. Within these pages, you’ll find a unique combination of hard work, intellectual curiosity, and personality. As Program Director, I have the privilege of watching their transformation from learners to skilled clinicians and scholars, a journey marked by perseverance and a sense of purpose.

In a time of rapid political and societal change, this publication stands as a testament to our renewed commitment to science, well-being, and the pursuit of knowledge. As physicians and researchers, we remain steadfast in our mission to improve health …

The Medicine Forum: Volume 26

The Medicine Forum

The Journal of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital - Department of Internal Medicine, Volume 26, 2024-2025

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Research Studies
• Case Reports
• Humanities & Reflections

The Relationship Of Health Literacy With Physical Fitness And Exercise Capacity Among Students With Mild Intellectual Disabilities, Takahiro Watanabe, Yujiro Kawata, Tadashi Watari, Kunio Odaka

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

Introduction

Children with mild intellectual disabilities are prone to health problems caused by a lack of exercise, such as obesity, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension and diabetes. Therefore, they need to develop health literacy and acquire physical fitness and exercise capacity to be able to play sports throughout their lives. This study aimed to clarify the relationship of health literacy with physical fitness and exercise capacity among students with mild intellectual disability.

Methodology

The target population was 845 students with intellectual disabilities from upper secondary schools for special needs in Japan. The survey assessed health literacy (HLS-Q12), and physical fitness and motor skills …

A Pilot Intervention To Promote Physical Activity Participation Among Youth With Cerebral Palsy: Action Research, Karin Kleinhans Dr

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

Introduction Physical activity (PA) is important for health and well-being, yet youth with cerebral palsy (CP) in South Africa encounter structural, sociocultural, and psychological barriers that hinder participation. To ensure they can experience the benefits of PA, effective, feasible, and acceptable interventions are needed. This study piloted a psycho-educational behaviour change protocol to assess its feasibility and acceptability in promoting active lifestyles.

Methodology An 18-week, non-randomised trial was conducted with five participants (ages 15–24), with GMFCS levels I, III, and IV, including youth who use assistive technology. Participants tracked their PA using activity monitors and self-reported diaries. Semi-structured interviews explored …

Forging Paths: Understanding Outdoor Play For Children With Disabilities In Early Childhood., Alessia M. Capone, Maeghan E. James, Louise De Lannoy, Kelly Arbour-Nicitopoulos, Mark S. Tremblay

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

Outdoor active play during early childhood supports healthy child development and is a fundamental right for all children. Childcare centres are one of the first opportunities for participation in active play among children with and without disabilities, presenting a potential space for inclusive outdoor active play to occur. Children with disabilities (CWD) face many barriers to participation resulting in exclusion within the childcare setting, especially when outdoors. To promote and sustain outdoor active play during early childhood for all children, this project aimed to understand parent and early childhood educator perspectives of barriers and facilitators to outdoor active play for …

Comparative Study Of Inclusive Local Sports Clubs: Ecosystem Analysis Of Sapporo And Berlin, Tomoyasu Yasui, Ai Senga, Rihito Yamamoto, Gudrun Doll-Tepper

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

Background/Aim:

After ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Germany and Japan were required to increase participation opportunities in inclusive sports and physical activities. Since the critical report by the UN Committee to Germany and Japan, inclusive education has progressed in both countries. The aim of this study was to clarify the differences and commonalities between the two countries through an ecosystem analysis of inclusive sports clubs in Sapporo and Berlin.

Methods:

Inclusive sports clubs in Berlin (the capital of Germany) and Sapporo (the capital of Hokkaido) were analyzed and compared using ecosystem analysis. The materials …

Can Sport Counteract Social Isolation? The Opportunity Of Innovative Sports Programs For People With Intellectual Disabilities, Sina Eghbalpour, Liane Prof. Dr. Schirra-Weirich

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

Introduction Organized sport offers numerous opportunities to positively influence the participation of people with disabilities in social life.

The political mandate to improve the participation of people with disabilities in sport has increased significantly, particularly with the adoption of the UN Convention (Article 30, UN CRPD). The question arises: “How can the participation opportunities of people with disabilities in sports clubs be improved?”

Methodology The quantitative research method is used to survey the individually perceived needs of people with disabilities. A barrier-free instrument (questionnaire) was developed together with an institution for the disabled experts in simple language. The perspectives of …

Understanding The Experience Of Participating In A University-Hosted Inclusive Sports Event, Yaejee Kim, So-Yeun Kim

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

Introduction A foundational principle of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is the right of individuals with disabilities to fully participate in society (UN, 2019). University-based inclusive sports events can offer a structured, professional, and safe environment that facilitates meaningful social interactions and attitudinal changes toward individuals with disability (IWD) (Kim & Kim, 2023). However, empirical research on the experiential impact of such events remains limited. This study aims to explore the lived experiences of participants in a university-based inclusive sports event (UBISE) and to derive implications for promoting sustainable social participation for IWD.

Methodology Thirty-six participants (including individuals with …